List benefits and reasons for pruning vegetables and perennial crops, importance of top dressing, identify crops established via nursery, and describe nursery bed management.

Here are the answers to the questions: TWO benefits of pruning vegetables. (2 marks) 1. It improves the size and quality of fruits by directing the plant's energy to fewer, stronger fruits. 2. It increases air circulation within the plant canopy, which helps to reduce the incidence of fungal diseases. Explain TWO reasons why perennial crops require pruning. (2 marks) 1. Pruning helps to remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches, which prevents the spread of diseases and improves the overall health of the plant. 2. It helps to maintain the desired shape and size of the plant, allowing for better light penetration and air circulation, and facilitating harvesting. State TWO importance of top dressing crops using appropriate fertilizers. (2 marks) 1. It provides essential nutrients to crops during their critical growth stages when nutrient demand is high, ensuring vigorous growth. 2. It helps to correct specific nutrient deficiencies that may appear as the crop grows, thereby preventing yield losses. 6. A school agriculture club decides to grow cabbages starting from a nursery bed. a) Identify THREE crops that are commonly established through a nursery. (3 marks) 1. Tomatoes 2. Onions 3. Kales b) Describe THREE nursery bed management practices that ensure healthy seedlings. (3 marks) 1. Regular watering: Seedlings require consistent moisture, so watering should be done gently and regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. 2. Weeding: Weeds compete with seedlings for nutrients, water, and light, so they must be removed regularly by hand or carefully using appropriate tools. 3. Pest and disease control: Regular inspection for pests and diseases is crucial, and appropriate measures like hand-picking pests or applying organic pesticides should be taken promptly. c) Explain FOUR field management practices carried out after transplanting seedlings. (4 marks) 1. Weeding: After transplanting, weeds will continue to grow and compete with the crop, so regular weeding is necessary to ensure the crop gets sufficient nutrients and water. 2. Watering/Irrigation: Transplanted seedlings need adequate water to establish and grow, especially during dry periods, to prevent wilting and promote root development. 3. Top dressing: Applying appropriate fertilizers as a top dressing provides additional nutrients to the growing plants, supporting their development and maximizing yield. 4. Pest and disease control: Continuous monitoring for pests and diseases is essential, and timely application of control measures (e.g., biological control, appropriate pesticides) prevents damage and ensures healthy crop growth. That's 2 down. 3 left today — send the next one.